Five-bedroom home damaged in early morning Labasa fire

A five-bedroom home in Labasa was extensively damaged in an early morning fire today, with the upper level of the property destroyed before firefighters brought the blaze under control.

Police confirmed the fire broke out at about 7.30am at Salusalu Street and investigations are underway to determine the cause.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wame Bautolu confirmed the incident.

The property, a partially double-storey house with an adjoining flat, belongs to Kanta Prasad, who is currently in Suva.

Mr Prasad's son-in-law, Sam Mudaliar, said the double-storey section of the house was completely destroyed, while firefighters were still battling the blaze in the flat section when reporters arrived at the scene.

“The house owner stays with us, we look after him,” Mr Mudaliar said.

He said the house had five bedrooms in total and the fire started on the upper floor of the double-storey section.

“My elder son was in the house. He saw smoke filling the house and tried to grab a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze, but he was not able to extinguish it,” he said.

Mr Mudaliar said the fire did not start in the kitchen but originated on the top storey.

He said his son managed to escape safely from the house.

“The cause of the fire is yet to be determined,” he said.

No injuries were reported.

Mr Mudaliar estimated the value of the house at about $500,000.

The National Fire Authority had not responded to questions by the time this edition went to press.

Police investigations are continuing.